Yamate-ryu®

The Gorin no Dojo and Daiseki Dojo are pleased to host the 2026 Yamate-ryu Aikijutsu Taikai over the weekend of May 30 and 31, 2026.

The theme of this year’s Taikai is Hanasu, or letting go—a profound study rooted in the human stress response and a critical skill within aikijutsu and budo itself.

“If your weapon or technique is immobilized, then you give up, let go, and try something else. This is often forgotten in the heat of combat.” - The Way and The Power: Secrets of Japanese Strategy, Fredrick Lovret.

Mr. Rick Ritacco, Head Instructor of Gorin no Dojo (founded 1981), and Dr. Bryan Musicar, Head Instructor of Daiseki Dojo (founded 2016), both teach Yamate-ryu aikijutsu and Itto Tenshin-ryu kenjutsu in Chicago’s suburbs. In the photograph above, Mr. Ritacco is nage and Dr. Musicar is uke.

This Taikai is open to practitioners outside our ryuha. Whether you are new to Japanese martial arts or deeply experienced, Yamate-ryu welcomes those who come with genuine curiosity, a willingness to train, and the spirit to support that pursuit.

Mr. Frederick Lovret brought the Yamate-ryu to the United States in 1968. The first public seminar was held in 1973. The Yamate-ryu began as a family martial tradition in a time when people bore arms. It is a direct descendant of Daitō-ryū and remains oriented toward its original purpose. To learn more about the Yamate-ryū, click here.

The event will be led by Mr. Joseph Simms, with Mr. Andrew Stevenson assisting.

Mr. Simms holds Menkyo Kaiden in the Yamate-ryu, is the Rokudai Hanshi of the Itto Tenshin-ryu, and has received the Gokui-kaiden Mokuroku of Goseki-ryu Aiki Heiho. A longtime deshi of Mr. Arvind Rajguru, the serving headmaster of these traditions, Mr. Simms is a United States Marine (1988–1994), the host of The Way and The Power Podcast, and contributed the foreword to the second edition of The Way and The Power: Secrets of Japanese Strategy by Mr. Frederick Lovret.

Mr. Stevenson holds Menkyo Kaiden in Yamate-ryu, the Kyoshi Menkyo of Itto Tenshin-ryu, and is a deshi of Goseki-ryu Aiki Heiho. He serves as the Dojo-cho of the Great Falls Budokan located in Sterling, Virginia.

Evening events will be hosted in the general area. The weather in Chicago in May is moderate, with average highs ranging from 62°F to 71°F and lows from 49°F to 58°F.

The dojo, located in Palatine, will open at 08:00 a.m. The Taikai will start promptly at 09:00 and run until 16:00. Registration includes lunch and beverages on both days. The Taikai closes at 16:00 Sunday, followed by a semi-formal dinner (Black Tie).

While once common, semi-formal dinners have become rare. Today, many associate black tie with weddings, award shows, and political affairs. In our tradition, they are party clothes. This is an opportunity to share together drink, food, and camaraderie born of shared experience, in a manner appropriate to the moment—Join us!

Please note that registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited, and early registration is appreciated.

Upon completing registration, you will receive a confirmation email with event details and locations.